Acadia Students' Union

2017-11-23 ASU Press Release on Collective Bargaining

2017-11-23 ASU Press Release on Collective Bargaining

For Immediate Release
Nov. 23rd, 2017

Acadia Students’ Union:

Our Expectations of AUFA and the Board of Governors

Acadia Students’ Union (ASU) takes a strong pro-student stance during collective bargaining at Acadia University. We have been informing students of collective bargaining since July and have been meeting with the Acadia University Faculty Association (AUFA) and the Board of Governors regularly since June.

During this entire process, it has been our goal to inform students about the proceedings of collective bargaining. We have consistently advocated for a process which has minimal effect on students.

Acadia University Faculty Association has given official strike notice to the Provincial Government for Monday, November 27th, 2017. There is currently no set time for both parties to meet with the conciliator. The ASU continues to take a pro-student stance in holding the firm expectations that both sides have exhausted all avenues before a labour action occurs. With three days between now and the strike deadline, both sides must use this as an opportunity to reach an agreement.

ASU asked both parties earlier today if the conciliator recommended use of a conciliation board. The Board of Governors confirmed that recommendation and indicated they would be willing to work with a conciliation board, while AUFA declined to answer the question.

The academic future of our student membership is in jeopardy. This includes over 100 students planning to graduate this semester. There are students defending their theses with hopes of attending graduate school in January, and there are students scheduled to go on exchange next semester.

“It is our expectation that both AUFA and the Board of Governors will thoroughly explore and exhaust all avenues before any labour action takes place” said Acadia Students’ Union President, Grace Hamilton-Burge. “The impact that a labour action would have on students cannot be taken lightly. Labour action will have serious academic, financial, and mental health consequences for our membership.”